SEC's Top 25 players: No. 13 Cyrus Kouandjio

Published: Saturday, July 13, 2013 at 12:00 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, July 8, 2013 at 7:23 p.m.

Gatorsports.com counts down this season's standout players in the nation's toughest conference.

No. 13 Cyrus Kouandjio

Position: Offensive line

School: Alabama

Height: 6-foot-6

Weight: 310 pounds

Year: Junior

Why he's No. 13: One of two starters returning on Alabama's offensive line, Kouandjio will be counted on to protect starting quarterback A.J. McCarron's blind side again in 2013. He started all 13 games for Alabama in 2012, blocking for eight individual 100-yard rushing performances. In pass protection, Kouandjio allowed just 3.5 sacks as a first-year starter. He graded out at 90 percent or better in six games last season: Florida Atlantic, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Western Carolina and Auburn. A former Parade All-American, Kouandjio has a strong combination of size, speed and nimble feet and projects as a future NFL first-round pick.

<p><i>Gatorsports.com counts down this season's standout players in the nation's toughest conference.</i></p><p><b>No. 13 Cyrus Kouandjio</b></p><p><b>Position:</b> Offensive line</p><p><b>School:</b> Alabama</p><p><b>Height:</b> 6-foot-6</p><p><b>Weight:</b> 310 pounds</p><p><b>Year:</b> Junior</p><p><b>Why he's No. 13:</b> One of two starters returning on Alabama's offensive line, Kouandjio will be counted on to protect starting quarterback A.J. McCarron's blind side again in 2013. He started all 13 games for Alabama in 2012, blocking for eight individual 100-yard rushing performances. In pass protection, Kouandjio allowed just 3.5 sacks as a first-year starter. He graded out at 90 percent or better in six games last season: Florida Atlantic, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas A&M, Western Carolina and Auburn. A former Parade All-American, Kouandjio has a strong combination of size, speed and nimble feet and projects as a future NFL first-round pick.</p>